July 18th, 2016
Mystery Shack
I was taking a shift behind the counter in a fit of nostalgia. We weren't really that busy today, but we did have some excitement. An honest to goodness celebrity (at least according to Mabel) had stopped in to speak to Ford. It was a husband and wife team of adventurers, his fourteen year old Asian American sister (gotta be adopted), and their eight year old daughter. You can see that the sister in law was an influence on her younger sister. The clothes, though different hues, were the same and not only did she have her tips frosted the same shade but she had a strip above her left dyed the color too. The little one was easy to tell that she was their daughter; strawberry blond hair, his freckles, & her smile. She had on a pair of overalls with a big pocket on the flap. I'd swear that I thought saw it moving when they walked back into the room.
Stan and Soos were both out leading tours. Mabel decided for once she was interested in Ford's 'nerd stuff', but she didn't fool anyone. She was in hero worshiping mode, heck they had barely made it in the door before she had ask the wife to autograph her grappling hook. I remember more than once in the past she said that Dip and I remind her of this couple. I didn't really see it, I mean I checked them out after Mabel said it the first time. They have their own website under her maiden name. With everything I found, the red hair is the only similarity. She and I are nothing that alike. I mean, hell, she was a flipping cheerleader when she was in high school. No thank you, running track was enough school spirit for me. And ok, I did represent the school the that lumberjack challenge last year.
Dipper volunteered to show the two girls around the displays. I'm proud of him, I know he would probably rather be with Ford discussing what ever they were here to discuss. But ever since Tambry had Stacey (and we were named her godparents), he has learned that sometimes you need to give parents a time to breathe. We have taken to watching Stacey once a week to give Tambry a night free. And when he saw the parents were a little leery of having their discussion around their daughter he stepped up. That was approximately a half hour ago so he should be back with them any time and well speak of the devil. Here he comes with the
"Thank you for showing me and my niece around the establishment." The fourteen year said as they walked back in from the tour area. She was holding the hand of her niece but her other arm was wrapped around Dipper's. In the short time she seems to have, oh no. I recognize that look.
"You are so knowledgeable. I bet you even know the difference between qi and other esoteric energies." She said with an attempt at batting her eyes. My lord, this kid is trying to flirt with Dipper.
"Well I have done some studies with my great uncle Ford about the subject. Last year we took a trip to India to speak with a swami who was reportedly 150 years old. And so far it looks like he was the real deal. His mastery of his qi was a factor in that long life." Dipper said with that cute little twinkle he get's when he is talking about the work we do with Ford.
"That is so interesting. India is such a beautiful country with a long Mystical history. I have been there a few times. You get to travel a lot with our family business. I have been to every continent and encountered many a mystery in our travels. I bet you have seen many things working with your illustrious Uncle." She said as he lead them around the displays near the gift shop.
Wait a minute, did she just try and sneak a peak at his butt. I really should go over there and give her a piece of my mind. But I want to see how long it takes him to realize he's being flirted with. I know my dork and I know I have nothing to worry about.
"She's really laying it on thick for him isn't she?" a voice from beside me said.
"Yeah, I'm not worried though. Dip only has eyes for me. Wait a minute…" I say before I realize that it couldn't be either of my normal commentary buddies, Mabel is still with Ford and them and we're talking about Dipper. When I turned my head I saw that the seven year old had left her aunt and wandered up to my side of the counter. The kid was good, I didn't even hear her climb up on the stool.
"That's good. Mom says Auntie is just trying too hard and the processy is too vogue. I don't get that last part , but its not my sitch." She said with a slightly confused smile. Then she stuck out her hand, "I'm Sean by the way."
"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Wendy.", I said as I shook her hand. Ok, now I know her pocket is moving.
"Oh yeah, and this is my naked mole rat Penelope." Sean said as furless rodent stuck it's head out of the pocket looking up at the little girl. It started chittering and I swear I heard it say 'Cheese'. Sean looked down at it and said, "I don't have anything on me Pennie, can you wait til we get to the car."
There was a little huff of frustration as Penelope crossed her little mole rat arms.
I pulled out a box of Chee-dar Chiprackers, "She can have a couple of these if she's allowed."
"Thank you," Sean said as she took three of them and handed one to Penelope. She chittered and again I thought I heard her say 'Thanks'.
Shaking my head, I looked up and saw that Dipper and Sean's aunt were now looking at the 'mermaid' display. She was rubbing his arm. My lord could she be any more obvious and could he be any more oblivious. Well it did take me flat out kissing him to get the hint that I was flirting with him back when we got together. Well I better get over there before she get's too much of a wrong idea.
"I'll be right back Sean," I say as I get up and start around the counter.
I get three steps away when the vending machine swings open and I hear "So you're telling us that you and your brother time traveled when you were 12? Fascinating."
"Booyah KP. I told you time travel was possible. I knew destroying that time monkey things was the probably a good idea. Who knows what Monkey Fist and the others would have done.." Sean's dad said as they left the hidden door. I had just about reached the door when he looked over at his sister, "Hana Stoppable, what do you think you are doing young lady?"
She quickly dropped Dipper's arm like it was a burning branch and backed away.
"Aunt Hana is gonna be in so much trouble," Sean said, suddenly beside me. "Mama and daddy asked her to be on her best behavior during this stop. They didn't want a repeat of the incident in Manhattan with the Long family, there was no way she could have known the boy was the daughter's boyfriend. For such a quiet and studious young lady she had fiery a temper. Or the one incident in Danville. That one cleared up pretty easy though. I'm guessing Dipper there is your boyfriend?"
"Yep, he's my dork." Wendy said as she watched Dipper as he realizes that Hana was being questioned about whether she had been hassling him too much, to which he responded that she had just been interested in the Shack's sights.
"So how come you didn't jell? You seem pretty chill for someone who just watched their boyfriend get flirted with." Sean commented as her Dad seemed to finally relent in his interrogation of her aunt.
"Well for one, Dipper is so oblivious I doubt he even knew your aunt was flirting with him. And two, even if he did, my dork is nothing if not loyal." I said with a smile as he looks at me and shrugs. "Anyways, I know he loves me. So I try to not worry about it when things like this happen."
"Very wise, he is one lucky man. Love without trust is no love at all. " Sean said as she smiled at the look Dipper was giving me.
It took a couple of seconds to register what she said. I had gotten lost in Dip's smile. Finally it hit me what she said, "Whoa, that was deep. Are you sure you're not a lil old lady in disguise?"
Sean thought about it for a moment and then said, "Well sensei does say I have an old soul. Oh, look your 'Dork' is coming this way."
Looking up I did see Dipper coming over. As he got close he said, "Hey there gorgeous."
"Hey yourself." I said with a smile and a quick kiss. As I pulled back I nodded towards where Hana was still being spoken to by her brother and his wife. And apparently Sean, when did she move? I never noticed she was gone. That girl is like a ninja. "You didn't get your new friend in trouble now, did you?"
Dipper looked over at them sheepishly, "No. She did it all by herself. Apparently she has been a real big flirt this year after some sort of prophesy from her extended family, something about 'encountering the Ivory Frocked Scholar' before her fifteenth birthday. Heck, I didn't even know she was flirting with me."
I smiled at how worried he was. it seemed he was thinking of taking the blame into himself for things he can't control, an old habit that still pops up every once in awhile. I decided to nip it in the bud before it started, "Never said you did dude. Heck I know a lot of guys, and a few gals, who would have loved to have had a cute girl flirting with them all day."
"Eh, didn't need it. I have you." Dipper said with a blush and a smile.
"Good answer," I said as I leaned in and gave him a longer kiss. We only broke it be cause we heard an apologetic cough.
"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt you. We know how it is to be young and in love." Sean's mom, Kim, said as she held hands with her husband, "But Hana has something she wants to say before we head out."
Hana shuffled her feet a little before she looked up at both Dipper and I. With a look of chagrin she said, "I'm sorry if I caused either of you any discomfort or embarrassment. I just am worried about the prophesy, I am supposed to meet the scholar before my birthday. That is in two weeks. You were an intelligent and charming young gentleman I thought might be him. Again I offer my apologies."
"No, apology necessary. We know how fun prophesies can be. Heck our first brush with a prophesy got screwed up because Great Uncle Ford corrected Grunkle Stan's grammar. Just take your time and relax. It will…" Dip was in the middle of saying when the front door opened and we were greeted by a southern drawl.
"Why Dipper, are you working today?" Gideon's voice carried from the doorway as he entered. He saw us as we turned to see what he wanted, "Oh, there y'all are."
Over the last few years Gideon had certainly cleaned up his act. He did try to be a regular kid for awhile but realized he missed not only preforming and the adulation that comes with it, but also the rush you get while dealing with the paranormal. Before the twins had came back for the next summer he approached Stan and Ford about helping out around the Shack (as an exhibit if needed, he does a pretty good turn as a fortune teller) and to help out with handling some of the research and what not. He's slimmed down a lot over the last couple of years thanks in part to Ford setting up a training regimen that Ghosteyes is tasked with seeing he follows.
"What are you doing here Gideon? You don't have a shift today and Ford doesn't have an expedition scheduled." I asked as he walked over to us.
"Well I was gonna see if Dipper could do lil ol' me a favor. I was asked to teach a line dancing class Friday night at the civic center and I was wondering Dipper could let Soos know I'm not gonna be able to work." He paused as he looked up and finally saw that we were with someone. He perked up when he saw Hana. Oh man, he's about to lay on the charm. He may be reformed, but he could still sell gasoline to a burning man. "Why Dipper, you didn't tell me that you have guests. Why don't you introduce me, especially to this enchanting flower."
Seeing Ron start to bristle, I guess he is used to seeing his sister doing the flirting and not the other way around. I was ready to step in when Dip said, "Gideon, first off if you want time off you need to ask Soos yourself. Secondly these are guests of Great Uncle Ford. Let me introduce Miss Kim Possible, her husband Ron Stoppable, their daughter Sean Stoppable, and his sister Hana Stoppable."
Dipper then turned back towards our guests, "And everyone, this is Gideon Gleeful. He runs the Shack's fortune telling booth."
"Why it's a right honor and a pleasure to meet you folks. If you're gonna be in town for awhile, might I suggest you come by the Gravity Falls Civic Center tomorrow night for some good ol' fashion fun."
"You know what. If I can talk my brother into it, we just might do that." Hana said as Ron looked on and Mabel (who had been uncharacteristically quiet) stood there in disbelief that some female seemed to actually fall for Gideon's sweet talking. I actually was a little surprised at it myself.
It wasn't too much later that everyone had went on their own ways and it was just me and Dipper manning the shop. Stan an Soos were still out with the final tours for the day, Ford was still in his lab researching whatever the Stoppables had came to him for (I'm sure Dip and I will find out soon), and Mabel had rushed off to tell Pacifica about her celeb encounter.
It was close to closing time so I asked, "You still coming over for dinner after work?"
"You better believe it. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He said as he leaned onto my shoulder as I placed my arm around his.
"Good, while it's cooking I'll work on teaching you how to tell if a girl is flirting with you." I said with a smile peck on the top of his head.
He leaned back, looked me in the eyes, and said "If she's not you, it won't matter." And then he pulled me into a kiss.